Insurance companies are reporting surges in recent years in lower level water damage claims. These claims are often due to basement flooding, and the sad fact is, many people find out after the fact that the damage is not covered. The reason is that many water damage claims from external flooding are disallowed because the homeowner did not carry the proper flood insurance policy. Though having the right insurance is important, basement waterproofing before the storm hits can prevent this nightmare scenario from ever occurring in the first place.
What is Basement Waterproofing?
Basement waterproofing is the process by which the lower level of a home is refurbished in a way that prevents external moisture from coming into the basement. Depending on the condition of your lower level, this could be a multi-step process. It begins with removing all moisture and its effects from the lower level. This may include some kind of mold and mildew removal if warranted.
Once the basement is completely dried out, then the basement sealing process begins. Basement sealing usually refers to sealing up any cracks in the walls, floors and ceilings where moisture may be coming into your basement. Once complete, there will be very little chance of moisture coming into your lower level under normal weather conditions.
One thing to keep in mind about basement sealing, it should be done at the first sign of cracks in the walls and floors. The reason is that even though a tiny crack may seem like no big deal, these cracks can grow in a hurry and, if left for too long, will not only allow a lot of moisture into your lower level, but it will make the basement sealing process twice as difficult and twice as costly. However, if you get to these cracks early, you can stay on top of the situation before it gets out of hand.
After the moisture removal and basement sealing processes are complete, there's one more thing to make sure of-that you are properly prepared for adverse weather conditions like heavy rain and flooding. This means having a reliable sump pump. There are a few things you can do in this area. They cost a few hundred extra bucks, but they can be very worthwhile. First, have a backup sump pump. This will insure that if your first one fails, they'll be another one that will kick in and kick the water back out of your basement.
Second, have your backup sump pump run on a battery. In the case of a power outage due to a bad storm, a backup battery will keep your sump pump working and your basement dry. Third, make sure that the sump pump hose runs far enough outside that the water will not easily come back into your basement.
Once all these basement waterproofing measures are taken, you'll be able to rest easy knowing you've done all you can to secure your lower level from moisture. This will allow you to make use of that extra space downstairs for some fun things like a game room or entertainment center, without the worry of moisture ruining all the fun.
What is Basement Waterproofing?
Basement waterproofing is the process by which the lower level of a home is refurbished in a way that prevents external moisture from coming into the basement. Depending on the condition of your lower level, this could be a multi-step process. It begins with removing all moisture and its effects from the lower level. This may include some kind of mold and mildew removal if warranted.
Once the basement is completely dried out, then the basement sealing process begins. Basement sealing usually refers to sealing up any cracks in the walls, floors and ceilings where moisture may be coming into your basement. Once complete, there will be very little chance of moisture coming into your lower level under normal weather conditions.
One thing to keep in mind about basement sealing, it should be done at the first sign of cracks in the walls and floors. The reason is that even though a tiny crack may seem like no big deal, these cracks can grow in a hurry and, if left for too long, will not only allow a lot of moisture into your lower level, but it will make the basement sealing process twice as difficult and twice as costly. However, if you get to these cracks early, you can stay on top of the situation before it gets out of hand.
After the moisture removal and basement sealing processes are complete, there's one more thing to make sure of-that you are properly prepared for adverse weather conditions like heavy rain and flooding. This means having a reliable sump pump. There are a few things you can do in this area. They cost a few hundred extra bucks, but they can be very worthwhile. First, have a backup sump pump. This will insure that if your first one fails, they'll be another one that will kick in and kick the water back out of your basement.
Second, have your backup sump pump run on a battery. In the case of a power outage due to a bad storm, a backup battery will keep your sump pump working and your basement dry. Third, make sure that the sump pump hose runs far enough outside that the water will not easily come back into your basement.
Once all these basement waterproofing measures are taken, you'll be able to rest easy knowing you've done all you can to secure your lower level from moisture. This will allow you to make use of that extra space downstairs for some fun things like a game room or entertainment center, without the worry of moisture ruining all the fun.
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